108 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



Malcolm, * ' But now, come, shake hands, old fellow ; I can't 

 afford to quarrel with you." 



The friendly parting was exchanged on all sides, when 

 Malcolm and Blanche turned their horses' heads, the former 

 suddenly exclaiming, " What can be the matter with "Will 

 Beauchamp, Blanche 1 I never saw such an alteration in any 

 man since we last met ; he looks as if he had been crossed in 

 love. What can be the matter with him ? " 



" I really cannot tell, Charles." 



" Do you think he is in love, Blanche % " he again asked. 



" How should I know, Charles 1 " she answered, while the 

 crimson mounted to her very temples. 



" You do know something more than you choose to tell me, 

 dear Blanche," as he looked inquiringly into her face, which she 

 endeavoured to turn away, to conceal her confusion. " Only tell 

 me one thing, my dearest girl," continued Malcolm, as he placed 

 his hand affectionately on hers ; " by our friendship and cousinly 

 affection for each other, by my brotherly love for you, tell me, 

 dear Blanche, in confidence, as your own dear brother — can 

 you, do you love Will Beauchamp P } There was no reply. 



" Thank Heaven ! " ejaculated Malcolm, fervently; "I am 

 now the happiest man in existence. Will Beauchamp' s conduct 

 is explained ; he loves, as he ever must, deeply and unalterably 

 where his affections have been once bestowed ; but, poor fellow ! 

 he thinks he loves hopelessly — he is too unpretending and 

 modest to believe that the rich heiress, Miss Douglas, will ever 

 condescend to accept him as a lover. Yes, dear Blanche ; this 

 must be the real state of the case. I have known Beauchamp 

 from a boy ; he is high-spirited, of sound principles, honest and 

 open as the day, and generous, even to a fault ; yet withal as 

 proud as Lucifer, where his conduct may be questioned as 

 equivocal ; and here it is — here's the rub, my dear Blanche — 

 he dreads to be called a fortune-hunter, although ever so 

 attached to you." 



At this moment they were interrupted by Mark Hosier 

 jumping over a stile into the road, close to Lord Malcolm. 



" Ah, Mark," said his lordship, "how fares it with you since 

 we last met % " 



" It would have fared badly enough, my lord, but for the 

 young squire, who saved my poor old father and mother from 

 the workhouse." 



" Indeed, Mark," said Lord Malcolm, seriously ; " how could 

 this happen ? 



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